Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause feelings of fear, worry, and unease. They can range from mild to severe and can interfere with a person’s ability to function in everyday life. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of topics, such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. People with GAD may anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, or other issues.
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; sweating; trembling or shaking; sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking; and feeling of impending doom.
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of being judged by others or of embarrassing oneself in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder may worry about acting or appearing visibly anxious, and may be overly self-conscious in social situations.
Specific phobias are intense fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, flying, or spiders. People with specific phobias may experience extreme fear when exposed to the object or situation, and may go to great lengths to avoid it.
Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom an individual is attached. People with separation anxiety disorder may experience symptoms such as panic attacks when separated from a loved one or in anticipation of being separated.
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known, but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder. These include genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
Genetics: Anxiety disorders can run in families, and research suggests that some people may be genetically predisposed to anxiety.
Brain chemistry: Imbalances in certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), may be involved in the development of anxiety disorders.
Personality: People with certain personality traits, such as those who are more prone to negative thinking or who are more easily overwhelmed by stress, may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
Life events: Traumatic or stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a job loss, can trigger anxiety disorders in some people.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the type of disorder, but may include:
• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
• Being easily fatigued
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Having difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty breathing
• Experiencing muscle tension
• Experiencing panic attacks
Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders
If you are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. A mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder by conducting a physical exam, psychological evaluation, and diagnostic tests.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
The treatment of anxiety disorders typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a type of treatment that involves talking with a mental health professional to help identify and manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
Medication: Medication can be used to help manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines.
FAQs
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
The different types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder.
What causes anxiety disorders?
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known, but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary depending on the type of disorder, but may include feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge; being easily fatigued; having difficulty concentrating; having difficulty controlling feelings of worry; having difficulty sleeping; experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems; having difficulty breathing; experiencing muscle tension; and experiencing panic attacks.
How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?
If you are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. A mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder by conducting a physical exam, psychological evaluation, and diagnostic tests.
How are anxiety disorders treated?
The treatment of anxiety disorders typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a type of treatment that involves talking with a mental health professional to help identify and manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Medication can be used to help manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Commonly prescribed medications for anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines.
